Amity Middle School – Orange is gearing up for its 9th annual “Giving Hair and Hope” event next Monday, April 3 at 6 p.m. This annual event raises funds for St. Baldrick’s, an organization that funds childhood cancer research, and participants also donate ponytails to Pantene to make wigs for cancer patients.

The AMSO event continues to grow each year and organizers hope you will consider being a part of this amazing fundraiser.

There are may ways to help. You can “brave the shave” and raise funds for St. Baldrick’s, donate a ponytail, or make a monetary donation. This year they also will raffle off four tickets to see the NY Knicks at Madison Square Garden (please contact Vittoria at Vittoria.Fielosh@reg5.k12.ct.us if you would like to purchase raffle tickets).

You are also invited to come to the event which will take place at the Middle School, 100 Ohman Avenue, Orange, on Monday, April 3, at 6 p.m. Amity’s Pop Warner Cheerleaders will be performing. There will be entertainment for younger children, food, music and more.

This week students will be raising money by participating in “Money Wars” and they will be hosting a volleyball tournament Tuesday, March 28, after school, from 2:30-4:00 p.m. The cost is $3 to play and all proceeds will benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation. If students do not have a ride home, they are welcome to take the late bus.

Raising money for St. Baldrick’s and collecting ponytails for Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths to make wigs for women undergoing cancer treatment.

Be a part of this great event! Be a shavee, donate an 8 inch ponytail, volunteer or make a monetary donation.

On Friday, Orange Live Editor Terri Miles cut off a 9-inch ponytail to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths — Thank You Georgina’s Hair Studio.

Orange Police Officer Robert Amarone, team captain for the OPD, is shaving his head this year and raising money for the cause. You can find his donation link and those of other participants HERE.

Amity’s Goal is $20,000 and so far $2,288 has been raised, so why not join in and help make this event a big success. Get involved and you’ll be giving hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers.

Amity Middle School Orange campus saw a flurry of activity as dozens of phenomenal boys and girls gave the most selfless gift of their young lives at the “Giving Hair and Hope” event on Monday night.

“Our event combines to cancer charities into one event,” said Karl Wilson, who’s organized it for the past 5 years. “First we shave heads and collect monetary donations for St. Baldrick’s Foundation and second we cut pony tail donations for Pantene Beautiful lengths.”

Wilson said the group expected to break $100,000 total in donations.

“This year we expect to shave 45 – 50 people, raise about $20,000 and donate 15 ponytails,” he said.

It is not unusual for brave young ladies to step up and sacrifice their locks for the cause. Julia Marciano shaved her head for the third consecutive year. Isabel Browe shaved her head for the second time, and Alice Cavanagh gave her all to the cause for the first time.

One of the special donors was Chase Burzynski who shaved his head for the second time. Chase has a sibling who is a cancer survivor.

Wilson’s 14-year-old son, Spencer shaved his head for the 6th straight year and “Mr. Wilson” practiced what he preached all night by taking a seat and giving up his full head of hair for a chrome dome look.

You can see many of the “official” before and after photos at the Amity St. Baldrick’s website.